Champions League Contention

[curiousorange]

With FFP/PSR the way it is, and with no clear sign that we'll have a ground which will bring in a shit-ton of revenue, we're already the poor relation. This is a massive, massive chance to put the club on a new footing and I fear if it's not now, it's never.

[Rigadon]

With FFP/PSR the way it is, and with no clear sign that we'll have a ground which will bring in a shit-ton of revenue, we're already the poor relation. This is a massive, massive chance to put the club on a new footing and I fear if it's not now, it's never.

I think we all feel that to some extent. 

[Brazilian Villain]

I'm pretty relaxed that we'll finish at least 5th, and that that will be enough for Champions League qualification.

Winning the UECL is less certain, even if we look the most likely winners along with Fiorentina.

[Sexual Ealing]

I have a horrible feeling that both Arsenal and West Ham will fail to do us a favour. Could 5th still go to the PL in those circumstances?

[OCD]

Even Man City have to get past Real Madrid. The Euro draws really couldn't have been much worse for us.

[curiousorange]

I'm sure someone more up on these things would be able to work it out, but if Spam and Arse both go out, how far would the remaining English clubs have to go to counteract the German progress?

[Sexual Ealing]

This might help if anyone is extremely bored; https://www.fotcalc.com/coefficient-calculator (I don't think I've ever been *that* bored).

[LeeB]

I would fancy both Liverpool and Citeh to win their respective competitions which I guess would make any other consideration moot.

[Risso]

I have a horrible feeling that both Arsenal and West Ham will fail to do us a favour. Could 5th still go to the PL in those circumstances?

I think it would make it very difficult. We're behind Germany and Italy, and so obviously if they both lose to German teams, then German teams will get more points from the semi finals at least. Obviously there would still be Man City, us and Liverpool earning points, but Man City have got a very hard tie against Real Madrid as well.

[Demitri_C]

Just have a feeling kanes gonna come back to haunty arsenal

Leverkusen are very good would expect them to beat west ham

[Meanwood Villa]

We're only marginally behind Germany so our five teams vs their three teams left should, in most circumstances, mean we'd overtake them quite easily. The big problem is the head to head ties which heavily swings the balance one way or another. The other issue is that I'd make the German teams favourites in both ties, whereas if it was Citeh v Bayern and Liverpool v Leverkusen, I think the English teams would be favourites. Then you've got Citeh playing about the only team you fancy to beat them and it's a perfect storm of bad draws really.

[Dave]

The other issue is that I'd make the German teams favourites in both ties, whereas if it was Citeh v Bayern and Liverpool v Leverkusen, I think the English teams would be favourites.

The bits and pieces that I've read / listened to from people who seem to know their stuff suggest that Arsenal are exactly the sort of team (in terms of how they play) that you would expect Bayern to really struggle against.

Hopefully that's how it turns out.

[curiousorange]

I can see Arsenal beating Bayern. They're much the better side this season. Spam-Leverkusen is an interesting one: Leverkusen are unbeaten and into the German Cup Final - will they be pushing equally on three fronts? But then again, they've won the Bundesliga bar the shouting.

[Risso]

It just depends on what West Ham team turns up. They beat Arsenal away, but got an absolute beasting at home in the reverse fixture.

[Meanwood Villa]

Leverkusen were minutes away from getting knocked out by an Azerbaijani team last round so I suspect (but don't know) they weren't at full strength. I reckon they might take English opponents a bit more seriously. The momentum behind them this season is just phenomenonal, never losing is a very good habit to get into.